We must not be too particular on such occasions as this." "But you won't drink any of it, will you, papa ?" "I think it altogether likely I shall." "Why, papa! coffee that was stirred with a dirty poker ?" "We will suppose the poker was not very dirty," he said, with a good-humored smile; "probably there was nothing worse on it than a little ashes, which, diffused through so large a quantity of liquid, could harm no one." "Must I drink it if they offer me a cup ?" "No; there need be no compulsion about it; indeed, I think it better for a child of your age not to take coffee at all." "But you never said I shouldn't, papa." "No; because you had formed the habit in my absence, and, as I am not sure that it is a positive injury to you, I have felt loath to deprive you of the pleasure." "You are so kind, papa," she said, slipping her hand into his and looking up affectionately into his face.

"But I will give up coffee if you want me to.

I like it, but I can do without it." "I think milk is far more wholesome for you," he said, with a smile of pleased approval.

"I should like you to make that your ordinary beverage at meals, but I do not forbid an occasional cup of coffee." "Thank you, papa," she returned.

"Grandma Elsie once told me that when she was a little girl her father wouldn't allow her to drink coffee at all, or to eat any kind of hot cakes or rich sweet cake; and oh I don't know how many things that she liked he wouldn't let her have.